Best known as the Opportunity Expert based on my proprietary leadership methodology called, "the immigrant’s perspective” that defines the characteristics to be a 21st century leader. This methodology promotes the idea of leading through a lens of opportunity – that is enabled through a mindset of continuous survival, renewal and reinvention. That if leaders embrace the immigrant’s perspective, they will have a distinct advantage in business by being able to see and seize previously unseen opportunities, and opportunities others don’t see at all. I am a former C-suite corporate executive and entrepreneur of several successful companies – my firm (Glenn Llopis Group) is a thought-leadership, human capital and business strategy consultancy. We enable corporations to develop their leadership identity to further define and implement go-to-market strategies. Most of my writings, speaking engagements and consulting assignments focus on leadership, change management, Hispanics in America, career advancement, marketing diversity management, entrepreneurship, business development and turn-around operations. I am the author of Earning Serendipity: 4 Skills for Creating and Sustaining Good Fortune in Your Work; Why a Personal Employee Brand will Save Your Career and Your Workplace, Preparing U.S. Leadership for the Cultural Demographic Shift, Awakening the Latino Factor and Women Must Dive In, Not Just Lean In. I make frequent appearances on local and national TV, including CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC, and Univision. Circle me on Google+

4 Skills that Give Women a Sustainable Advantage Over Men

In a recent study by Pepperdine University, women in top positions reported beating the industry average in terms of productivity and profitability. Beth E. Mooney, CEO of KeyCorp, just became the first ever woman chief of a top 20 US Bank. In fact, nearly 52% of managerial or professional positions are now held by women, according to a Catalyst, July, 2011 report. More women are obtaining MBAs than ever before in history. Yet, although major strides have been made by women in every industry, there are only 28 female CEOs in the Fortune 1000 companies according to the Catalyst, August 2011 report.

Nonetheless, it is clear that women are reshaping the landscape of business. Women are naturally wired to think, act and innovate like immigrants. Women, more than men, have the ability to see what others don’t, do what others won’t and keep pushing their ideas and ideals when prudence says quit.

These skills taken together mean that women are better than men at earning serendipity! Here’s the breakdown:

1. Women are Opportunity Experts Women see opportunity in everything and everyone – their neighbors, friends, family, business associates, strategic partners, etc. Women have the ability to see opportunity and give their ideas life and inspire others to do the same. Women, when given the opportunity to be themselves, are natural leaders!

I have seen time and again how women are much more strategic, focused and keep their eye on the prize. They are not easily distracted and don’t get their egos in the way. That is why women just don’t see opportunity, they seize it. Look at the list of the top women CEO’s world-wide. Impressive! Review this list of the 50 most powerful women in America. Pay attention to these women: they are reinventing America’s enterprises.

2. Women are Networking Professionals Women are masters of navigation and putting their ideas to the test is their gift. They do this through networking. They follow-up and make sure they sow their seeds of ideas in the most fertile networking ground. Additionally, their inherent ability to be creative allows for the discovery of opportunities that most miss.

The ROI of your business network is only valuable if those in it are willing to risk in your growth. Unlike men, women stick together and protect one another (though many would equally say that women also fiercely compete against each other too). At the initial stages of networking, women are gracious and generous in their ability to give and open doors for one another. They want to feel as if they are making an impact, helping to make a difference in the lives of others.

3. Women Seek to be Relationship Specialists Women are specialists at cultivating relationships that are purposeful, genuine and meaningful. They focus on growing healthy, long-lasting relationships. Women don’t quit. They thrive at creating and sustaining momentum for both themselves and others.

Women are masters at facilitating connection points between people, resources and relationships. This is why women are such effective and efficient leaders. They don’t waste time and can quickly identify areas to consolidate, organize and strengthen business outcomes. In fact, some of the best project managers I know are women. Their attention to detail is uncanny and their ability to track, evaluate and manage change is impressive. They aim to assure the betterment of a healthier whole.

4. Women are Natural Givers Women seek to give to others but also to their communities. Why do you think most non-profits are run by women? Women enjoy living their lives through a cause that serves the advancement and acceleration of societal needs. This is why in the workplace women are great at inspiring and lifting those around them. This is why most women leaders are such excellent long-term strategic thinkers. They are less inclined to rally behind a short-term strategy if a more sustainable approach can be executed.

Additionally, women are socially conscious leaders that serve to cultivate innovation and initiative for both themselves and others. No wonder the fastest growing sector of small business owners in America are women.

In the end, women are more naturally inclined to represent the immigrant perspective on business leadership. Like the immigrant, they are wired to survive and thrive in fast-changing times like these and can lead fast changing organizations that desire sustainable growth.

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I would like to first thank the author for the glowing praise that has bestowed on women, and as a woman-I certainly appreciate it. In fact, if you were to replace “women” with my name, this could essentially be an excellent recomendation for a future job.

As a woman in the think-tank industry, I agree with the assertions made by the author, I too have recognized women’s keen eye for detail, sense of leadership and comraderie. Be that as it may, where is the disconnect between this praise and the practice of women leaders? Too few women are in leadership positions, indeed I am in a field that also has this growing disparty. Furthermore, women still do not earn equal wages than that of men, controlling of course for the same position and years of experience. That being said, where is the disconnect? Is it that men and business managers alike assign unabbased praise without providing the real merits of professional achievement- i.e. salary increases and promotions? Given the current disparity between men and women in the workplace, this is nothing more than cheap talk. I rather be scrutinized and even demonized for being cutthroat and enjoy equal standing with men in the workplace than be praised for being better and not reaping the rewards that really matter.

The woman in the ministry of Christ, and has had special place. She knows very well the behavior of wise and prudent. Therefore we appreciate its value! Blessed Be brave and gentle creatures of GOD @ prtaddei

On many levels, the skills you point out play to stereotypes. You mention nurturing, giving, cultivating meaningful relationships and other soft skills; why not zero-in on more tangible strategic skills? Pinpointing women’s analytic and thinking and communicating skills that align to business objectives and advance business goals might elevate our insights and make a stronger case for why women might have a competitive advantage. Loraine Antrim

I agree with Loraine antrim as to the vast skills women possess. We can unearth tangible and intangible contributions by women to business only when women are seen as dynamic individuals rather than seeing women as women.

Still the 4 skills you list are in their own enormously beneficial to any corporation. Thanks much!

Our workplaces need gender diversity because men and women are, by nature wired differently. In other words, each gender comes with some unique capabilities (and also ‘incapabilities’). This has a direct bearing on leadership abilities. To elaborate on this:

Man lives and operates by logic and reason, while woman is also driven by emotion and the heart. This is, in fact, the more dangerous and therefore more courageous path. Man tends to choose the rational path because it is usually also the safer one. Woman chooses the dangerous path of emotions and sentiments. (This is why women have always found it difficult to live in a man-made society driven by the safe paths of reason and logic.)

The qualities that define a woman are trust, sincerity, truthfulness and authenticity. In times of conflict, such as in war, these qualities do not work well. History has been defined by power struggles and wars, which is where the man’s abilities to be forceful, devious and ruthless served a larger purpose. This is why it now appears to be a male-dominated world.

However, man’s strengths are far more primitive than those of woman. As humanity evolves, it emerges that man’s qualities are those that shaped the past, while woman’s qualities are those that will shape the future. Both serve their purpose, so there is no question of one gender being superior to another. However, there is a subtle difference in abilities. This difference is the one we perceive between what abilities it takes to build a city, and the ones needed to build a society.

Woman should never try to imitate man, because imitation is always imitation – never equality. There are unique qualities of female leadership that the most effective women leaders possess

Glenn, this is a superb article; perhaps the most insightful, relevant and unique I have read on this subject. You have captured the essence of the modern, successful woman. Thank you for this bit of wisdom.

Thanks Michael. Much appreciated. Let’s hope that everyone pays attention to how women will change the profile and requirements of sound leadership and business practice. There perspectives are too valuable and can no longer be minimized in the discussion. Thanks again.

What a load ….. Did you even bother to research this? Would you like to explain why according to DTI figures less than 4% of new business is started by women if they are such great oppertunists? The opposite is true … they are risk adverse.

If women are so susperior as Glenn Llopis postulates than how come women still lag far behind men in achievement? How come most politicans are males? Why are Most ceo’s of fortune 500 companies men?How come 99% of the world’s inventions are by men? Oh I know you will say its because males have surpressed women. But if males have subjugated or surpressed women than it could only be because males are susperior because inferior people can not susrpress the susperior.Even if it is claimed that men’s susperior strength enabled men to supress women this can not be because brains trumps brawn.

You can say women are better than men at practicaly everything except in the one that counts and that is in the arena of achievement.

But Glen’s blog will not help society It will give women gigantic egoes and lower males self esteem. The giganitic females egoes sets them up for a fall because God says in His word “Pride goeth before a fall” Pr 16:18 and low sef esteem he gives his own gender leads to low achievement thus society is injured by his blog. Glen would do better if he is going to say negative things about the male Gender to atleast put forth some solutions

There doesn’t seem to be any shortage of men rushing to a microphone to declare the inferiority of their own gender. Male bashing is very much in vouge these days. but there is one little detail that Michael over looked. That the proof is in the pudding test. If women realy were so susperior to men than why are they playing catch up to men? How come there are so few women inventions if” Women are Opportunity Experts” If this were true why is it that 99.9 % of inventions are by men? Why so few in the board rooms of Fortune 1000 companies ? There’s only one test that matters and in that one men win hands down.